Aloha Class
Aloha Class
At 3,220 TEUs, Matson's Aloha Class vessels are the largest containerships built in the U.S. Designed specifically for our Hawaii service, the new ships bring greater capacity as well as state-of-the-art "green ship" technology features, including a more fuel-efficient hull design, dual fuel engines that can be adapted to use liquefied natural gas (LNG), environmentally safe double hull fuel tanks and freshwater ballast systems. Matson invested $400 million in Daniel K. Inouye and Kaimana Hila and has committed an additional $1 billion to building three more Aloha Class ships with delivery in 2026 and 2027.
- Daniel K. Inouye - Completed 4Q 2018
- Kaimana Hila - Completed 1Q 2019
Type :Containership
Length :854'
Max Speed :23.5
Main Engine Horsepower :51,000 (38,000 kW) at 84 rpm
Max Deadweight (Long Tons): 50,794 (DKI) 50,981 (KMH)
TEUs : 3,220
Reefer Slots :408
Daniel K. Inouye (DKI)
The first ship, Daniel K. Inouye, was named in honor of the late Senator from Hawaii. Born in Honolulu in 1924, Daniel Inouye served with the U.S. Army’s famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team during WWII. He returned to Hawaii a decorated war hero and practiced law prior to entering politics. When Hawaii was admitted to the union in 1959, the fledgling state elected Inouye as one of its first representatives to the U.S. Congress. In 1962 he was elected to the U.S. Senate and was successfully reelected nine times in an unparalleled public service career spanning 50 years.
Considered one of the most influential members of Congress in his time, Inouye served as a member of the Senate Watergate Committee during the early 1970s, and as chairman of the Senate Iran-Contra Committee in 1987. He was a long-time member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which he chaired from 2009 to 2012, and served as the Senate’s president pro tempore from 2010 to 2012. Senator Inouye was an ardent supporter of the people of Hawaii, and also of the U.S. maritime industry and its important role in Hawaii’s economy.
"The decision to name the first Aloha Class ship in honor of Senator Inouye was a natural one. He left an unparalleled legacy in Hawaii history, and was a true champion of the U.S. Merchant Marine. He is recognized throughout the maritime industry as one of its most powerful advocates. Having a modern, U.S.-flag containership dedicated to serving Hawaii bear his name is an appropriate tribute to this great man."
– Matt Cox, Chairman and CEO
DKI Facts
- 130 miles of electrical cable was used in its construction
- Propeller weighs 72 tons
- 60,000 gallons of paint were used, enough to paint 10,000 cars
- Total structural steel weight – 13,108 tons
Kaimana Hila (KMH)
Kaimana Hila was the name chosen for Matson's second Aloha Class vessel.
Hawaiian locations and landmarks typically have a rich and storied history behind their names. Kaimana Hila is a transliteration of Diamond Head, also known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi.
The word Lae, refers to the prominent forehead of certain fish, including the ahi. Lae and ahi combine in Lēʻahi. The ridgeline of Diamond Head is said to resemble the shape of the ahi’s dorsal fin.
Kaimana Hila is also a song, which coincidentally, was also one of Senator Inouye's favorites.
